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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Summer has passed and the leaves are turning yellow. Autumn is here, and our vacations have passed. All that is left is our memories, our pictures and our souveniers.

My trip to Nova Scotia was my very first vacation, and very first trip out of Ontario. It was a nice break from taking care of my grandfather for the past two years and being able to spend some time with my family and regenerate. In Nova Scotia is where I became inspired to craft jewelry and so it is only fitting I pay tribute!!

So it was very exciting when it dawned on me to create a Treasury with the feel of Nova Scotia. I had such a great time that I did not want to leave, and I brought home very few items that gave me the feel of Nova Scotia and the life by the Sea.

But here you can capture some of that life in this wonderful Treasury.

One thing you have to know about Nova Soctia if you have never been there, is that it is almost entirely surrounded by Ocean. Part of the Ocean swells into a Bay, but it is all Ocean water. How could you possibly take a part of the Ocean with you?

Well sadly you can't. Taking a bottle of Ocean water really doesn't do the trick. What will you possibly do with it? Well, Gel Delights has solved that problem with their stunning Tabletop Candle featuring a look into the depths of the Ocean in a large glass bowl with crushed shells and sand. Instead of a tacky bottle of water, we have a centerpiece for your living room mimicking nature's beauty with sprouting candle wicks. Within the bowl are swimming fish suspended in the gel.

Gel Delights does not only make these wonderful Ocean theme candles, but she also makes one of a kind, juicy pies and pastry candles that look so good you will forget that they are not edible!

Take burning your pies to a whole new level and burn one of these pies in your kitchen! (don't eat them =p )

While out in Nova Scotia there were many trips out on the Ocean by boat. Two of these trips we had sailed off on a Sailboat, one at night from the Harbor of Halifax to watch the stars and the city lights from afar with the quiet breeze guiding us across the waves. The fun did not stop there. The second trip was from the shores of Lunenburg, my favorite town of Nova Scotia. We spotted seals and Porposes, drank white wine while huddling in thick blankets from the cold Atlantic air and I had a chance to sit with the Captain and stear the boat and hold the large wooden wheel into port, thanks to my dad who caught the Captain's attention when he asked for a new volunteer.

So selecting this piece as one of my favorites was an easy choice.

Newsprout created this lovely 10k Antique Gold ladies pocket case with a Sailboat Wheel. She picked natural treasures from the California beaches, but despite where she found them, they can also be found in Nova Scotia where I had collected some of these treasures as well. Featured in this Pocket Case are sea shells, mother of pearl, tiny sea agates and little ocean pebbles all in soft, natural colors.

Newsprouts does not only make these Pocket Cases, but many other items and jewelry all inspired by the Ocean. All her finds of Sea Glass and shells are all natural and recycled.

Check out this wonderful Pocket Case and Newsprout's other great pieces inspired by the Ocean from her Etsy Shop! http://tinyurl.com/23sjzyq

In Nova Scotia we had aspired to catch the glimpse of whales and dolphins. Sadly we had only seen one Right Wale breach the water as the day was rather foggy. We did however see many seals basking on rocks in the middle of the Ocean as well as porposes following our boats. It was only fitting to add some whales and dolphins to the mix of my Nova Scotia Treasury. I found many wonderful pieces of whales and dolphins, but my favorite pieces was this cute bundle of soaps featuring Dolphins breaching the Ocean on waves.

SatinandBirch create many wonderful and unique decorative soaps. It would be hard to consider actually bathing or washing with any of these soaps because they are so beautiful and unique. The bright color of the waves is only fitting for such a bright and lively cultures by the Ocean. The dolphins, the waves and the shells are finely detailed and intricate, something not often seen by naturally made soaps.

Butterflies, owls, wreaths are only a few of the many designs of her soaps with gorgeous colors and detail. These pieces are especially fitting for the bathroom of course, possibly in a light beige weave basket with beige confetti paper lining the bottom and featuring these nicely crafted soaps on top to display to your guests....perhaps a sign that says 'please do not use'! =p

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I have a fascination of the two, but I do not participate in either! But, to share my envy here are some items from each Treasury I carefully created, selecting only items with the certain uniqueness or quality and good quality pictures. I prefer themed backgrounds that allow the item to pop from the screen, so very few white or plain background items will ever be found in my Treasuries!

STEAMPUNK!

We've been hearing this word for the past couple of years. A new fascination in the world of Larpers and Dreamers that I believe was inspired by all these Vampires coming onto the screen.

This strange, octupos necklace was crafted by Dayslonggone. We have seen the likeness of this necklace on American Idol. It is certainly different, and I strongly believe the inspiration of this necklace came from Pirates of the Caribbean. If you don't believe me, go watch the movies for yourself!

This piece is by FernStreetDesigns. Now who can pass up a watch ring with a bee in its center? There is so much going on in this small piece, it's hard not to stare for a while trying to take it all in. It almost looked like the bee flew into the clock face and went SPLAT!

VICTORIAN GOTH!!

Victorian Goth will never go out of style. In fact more and more Victorian items are popping up, and many items have been influenced by Steampunk or Goth - or vice versa.

Crafted by EnchantressAdornment, this piece is just to good to be true. It's gone batty! The floral motiff and the chandelier effect really makes this item stand out! For anyone who loves Victorian Jewelry or accessories, it's hard not to drool!

This stunning, statement outfit was crafted by OblivionClothing. There is not much that needs saying for this item. It is everything it should be. Dramatic, flowing, elegant with a stiff partial collar and tight bodice and room to show off your bosom. The dark, transparent, shimmering skirt pulls this together into a great piece for your collection.

It is only a few days left, and I've been working very hard the past few weeks to get myself ready for my very first Venue, and it just happens to be at an Art Studio Opening Show by invitation! Cabbagetown Festival is nearly here, and I will be at the Art Studio Opening Show just a short walk away on Sept 12th. You can find the details about it here: http://hilaryslater.weebly.com/writers-blog.html

Each day consisted of watching an hour of TV to catch up with shows that I love during the day and having breakfast with my grandfather. Afterwards with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate in hand, I head downstairs into my slave dungeon and begin my work. Everything I make has been bagged and tagged individually in the last few days and new pieces await their few minutes of fame in front of my camera.

Unfortunately the weather has been terrible. The hurricanes have brought high winds, rain and heavy clouds our way in Ontario and there are many cloudy days versus sunny days. A light box would have been great this week, but unfortunately I do not have one. My Uncle is making me one before Winter, so until then I depend on the sun.

But I have also made so much that I just can't keep up with editing and listing. My Shop has become second priority, and I am much more concerned about remember everything I need to bring. As long as I remember to bring myself and my jewelry pieces, I think I can manage!

Some pieces that I'm proud of? Well, I've really dove into the idea of bookmarks and keychains, and soon hope to create some belly button rings. It would have been nice to have some fall items, but I realized rather quickly I do not have orange, but I am still proud of these.

This is the "Love You" Keychain with coral chips, deep red stone, light Siam and Fire Opal Swarovski Crystals. The charms are antique silver and it has such a warm feeling to it that it is hard not to keep it for myself. In fact all my jewelry is. I wish I had a boyfriend right now, I'd make him buy it for me if I wasn't the one who made it! =p

This is the "Black Rose" Bookmark. I think it matches perfectly with all those Vampire Novels pouring out of the Bookstores. The Antique Silver fish hook matches really well too. I just happened to have this Resin Rose Pendant and a Rose engraved Fish Hook. I was a little stumped on how exactly I wanted to piece this together. I ended up adding the Deep Red Stone in the middle of the chain for a finished look.

I have been told I have an eye for balance. But I wish I had that eye in my drawing as I always tend to draw my eyes off kilter.

Oh well. I will set aside the dream to paint fairies for now and focus more on my Jewelry.

The next couple of days though, I'm taking some time for me and doing the last final checks and other things on my preparation list.